Release Date: Jun 10, 2008
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Record label: Bluhammock
Music Critic Score
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KaiserCartel, the duo of Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel, creates lovely atmospheres and gentle auras on March Forth. Minimalistic in style, but with a fullness of sound thanks to Matt Hales' rich production, the set showcases the pair's gentle simplicity to best advantage. Kaiser handles the bulk of the leads, her sweet, clear vocals featured on half a dozen songs within, while Cartel's warm baritone takes center stage on another four.
Kaiser Cartel’s “Season Song” pops on the stereo, and suddenly I’m in preschool again, romping around the playroom in short pants, listening to kiddie songs on the school record player. Chipper whistling and handclaps fill my ears while Courtney Kaiser sings of “bumblebees and growing trees” in a voice like a warm hug.About three minutes later, the track is over, and I’m back to jaded-twentysomething mode, sneering at this derivative piece of juvenile fluff, ready to take the critical knives to Kaiser Cartel’s March Forth. But something strange is happening: That cheesy little tune keeps popping back into my head.
Sonny and Cher of indie pop a little too innocent Brooklyn’s Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel seem like nice kids—with “kids” being the operative word. Their previous EP included three crayons, and they’ve been known to line the stage with stuffed animals. On their debut album, they’re clearly in love, as they spend 45 minutes cooing sweet nothings to one another.